Community Futures Centre West - CFCWest

07/23/2026

The Cochrane Community Innovation Team (CCIT) is seeking a qualified Event Coordinator to plan, manage, and execute the logistics for an exciting upcoming week of events. Supported by the CCIT, the chosen coordinator will bring our community vision to life.

If you are an experienced event professional, review the Request for Proposal (RFP) for full details on the scope of work, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ch2_9oa1iQnqESVN5ggCG

Email your proposal to [email protected]

07/08/2026

It's time to nominate your favorite local businesses for the Cochrane Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

This was such a great time last fall, and we can't wait to celebrate Cochrane's incredible local business again in October.

Get your nominations in!

06/30/2026

Thank you Cochrane!

CFCWest was delighted to have such a great turnout for Lemonade Day year one here in Cochrane. All of the stands showed creativity, refreshing, great-tasting lemonade and entrepreneurial spirit. Our judges had a tough time determining the winners for each category!

Special thank you to our judges for their volunteerism, their passion for supporting Cochrane's youngest businesses, and for expertly applying their sweet tooths across town!

Judges:
Marni Fedeyko
Paul Singh
Mikayla Gale
Adam Heard
Jennifer Heard
Cerys Thompson

Winners:
Best Tasting Lemonade - "Freshly Freya's". This stand tickled the judges tastebuds with fresh squeezed lemonade made with organic sugar and delicious chouquettes from Sweet Spot Sponsor Pascals Patisserie.

Best Stand - "Out of This World". Young entrepreneurs Kylo & Ellie provided a lemonade stand that was out of this world. Featuring strawberry and blackberry lemonade with edible glitter, rocket-fuel snacks, lava wands and glow in the dark stars.

Best Entrepreneur - "Lemonade Builders". This LEGO themed frozen lemonade stand featured build your own flavor syrups, lemon fidgets, brick sunglasses, LEGO movie mascot/sign-flipper and each lemonade slushy garnished with a candy brick piece. These budding entrepreneurs, Reese & Owen, combined their shared love of LEGO and their favorite summer beverage to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit. This stand has gone on to also win the Best Regional Entrepreneur prize, and will be entered for Nationals!

Thanks again to Cochrane, all our participants, and we can't wait to bring Lemonade Day back in 2027.

06/11/2026

What a great example of community building and partnership for our youngest entrepreneurs! Thank you Cochrane Home Treasures for being such a great location partner.

Join us this Saturday at Cochrane Home Treasures for Lemonade Day! We are excited to have two young entrepreneurs taking part in this at our store. Lemonade Day is a program that helps kids learn about entrepreneurship, goal setting, creativity, and running their own small business. We are proud to support young community members as they build confidence and try something new. Be sure to stop by, say hello, and support these amazing kids this Saturday at CHT 💛
Learn more about Lemonade Day here: www.lemonadeay.org

06/11/2026

🍋Lemonade Day is almost here!🍋

On Saturday, June 13th, will you visit Cochrane's youngest businesses owners and enjoy a refreshing cup of lemonade?

Visit https://local.lemonadeday.org/northern-alberta/stands-map to find these tasty businesses!

Lemonade Day is a free program that turns youth into young entrepreneurs, teaching them to create and manage their own business - a Lemonade Stand. Join the Fun! Registration Opens March 1st!

06/08/2026

A sweet partnership for our future business leaders! 🍋🥐

Get ready, Cochrane! Lemonade Day is officially happening on June 13th and our young entrepreneurs are busy prepping their businesses!

But what’s a great glass of lemonade without a little something sweet? We are thrilled to announce that Pascal's Patisserie - Fine French Pastries You Bake - Cochrane, AB is our official Sweet Spot Sponsor for Best Tasting Lemonade! 🎉

Our participants will be bringing their absolute best recipes to the table, and we can’t wait to taste the creativity.

👉 Show your support: Mark your calendars for June 13th, head out into the community to buy some lemonade, and don't forget to stop by Pascal’s Patisserie to thank them for supporting local youth entrepreneurship!

05/21/2026

Registration ends TOMORROW!

Cochrane...Ready. Set. Squeeze! 🍋

Lemonade Day is coming to Cochrane on June 13th! This is a FREE youth entrepreneurship program for ages kindergarten and up. It’s a great way for kids to earn some money, learn business skills, and celebrate their success!

📍 Location: Choose your spot across Cochrane
Registration Closes May 22nd!
Register at lemonadedaynorthernalberta.com

05/21/2026

We get plenty of marketing strategy questions from our small businesses; this session is sure to help!

Someone's telling you to post every day.
Someone else says email is king.
And now you feel you have to dance on TikTok.

You don't have to. (Unless you want to, of course 😉)

Marketing your small business can feel overwhelming - but it doesn't have to be.

Join us June 9 for a practical session with Cerys Thompson, CT Communications, on how to make your marketing work for both you and your audience

Get your ticket now! https://cochranebusinessnetwork.com/upcoming-events/

📅 Tuesday, June 9 | 12–2pm
📍 The Station, Cochrane
🎟 $25 – includes lunch

05/21/2026

We had a great time at the Bragg Creek & Area Chamber of Commerce meeting last night, letting Bragg Creek businesses know the many ways Community Futures Centre West - CFCWest and the Engine Room can support their work.

Thanks for having us!